HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

G9 needs suggestions

Support Forums
>
Prostate Cancer
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 9/30/2014 12:47 AM (GMT 0)
Hello all. I lost my < sign in July with a PSA of 0.177. Today my PSA reading is 0.187. In my July meeting with my Med. Onc. He said to start Lurpron again but wanted one more reading to be sure of a rise. Well, a rise has been confirmed. Dr. Will call me after he gets the results Faxed to him. Most likely later this week.
Unfortunately he isn't a Prostate Cancer specialist. Wondering if anything other than Lurpron should be started now.
Posted 9/30/2014 1:13 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Bert

Sorry to hear of the rise in PSA.

I usually stay away from the technical issues but your post did raise my attention. As a G10/9, I recommend that you seek out a Urologust or Oncologist that does specialize in Prostate Cancer.

The other guys here will offer opinions as to next therapies to try. As a G9, I will be watching for the replies as well.

Take care,
Posted 9/30/2014 1:23 AM (GMT 0)
Time to speak to an Oncologist and/or RO.

As another G9'ner I'll keep track of your progress. All the best!

.
Posted 9/30/2014 2:36 AM (GMT 0)
Bertb
I hate to hear this as another gl 9. I don't know what to suggest but others will. I dread getting news like this.
Bob
Posted 9/30/2014 11:07 AM (GMT 0)
Sorry to hear about the rise, bertb. That's sure not what we're hoping for!

When did you stop Lupron? Did you have 3 years? From your history, it looks like you may have stopped it in the spring of 2014 sometime. Have you also been monitoring your testosterone level? After your treatment plan (almost identical to mine), you'd be hoping for the testosterone to rise but for the PSA to stay down. If they go up together, then the radiation probably didn't get all the nasty cells.

Have you had any scans? My RO said his clinical experience is usually that's due to some systemic growth that is too small to be seen on scans. It might always have been lurking out there, and just held down by the ADT.

Some of the guys may chime in that have had the more advanced scans (C11, F18), and may have suggestions for further steps to take.

I like the fighting spirit, the "Ok, this stinks. So what do we do next?" mindset. Our forum is good for keeping us on the solution path.

Hang in there, we're here for you. Keep us posted, as this may be very helpful for other guys (like me!).

Jerry
Posted 9/30/2014 1:02 PM (GMT 0)
In my opinion it is time for a true PCa specialist medical oncologist.   People like Myers, Scholz, Lam, Sartor, etc.   You Want a doctor that has a lot of experience and great results with many men with your risk profile and worse.
Posted 9/30/2014 5:14 PM (GMT 0)
After radiation, a PSA recurrence is usually (by the Phoenix definition) nadir+2, which means your PSA would have to rise to 2.0 before a recurrence is suspected. Some ROs use the older ASTRO definition of 3 consecutive rises, each 3 months apart. Either way, it may just be a bounce, rather than a recurrence. Did you consult with your RO about this?

- Allen
Posted 10/1/2014 12:35 AM (GMT 0)
My Med. Onc. is of the belief that 0.2 is the point where Lurpron should be started again. FYI I stopped Casodox and Lurpron after 18 months per the latest studies suggested. I'm waiting to hear from my Med. Onc. this week. My next appointment with my Rad. Onc. is in early Dec.
I have a friend who also is a G9 who also went through radiation and hormones. He is being seen by a Uro. He was told to wait until his PSA reaches a hole number (1.0) before doing anything else.
So maybe my Dr. Is being proactive in my case. I hope so.
Posted 10/1/2014 1:42 AM (GMT 0)
.2 is only used for recurrence after RP and SRT. It might be wise to double check that your MO knows your case file. That and "whole numbers" are outside of standard diagnostics. You said he isn't a prostate cancer specialist - it's important to get the opinion of someone who is before undertaking further therapy.
Posted 10/1/2014 12:57 PM (GMT 0)
Tall Allen is my mentor, so I have nothing to add other than good luck.

LupronJim
Posted 10/4/2014 5:07 PM (GMT 0)
Well Bert, I was looking for your other thread when I found this one. I am basically in the same boat-g9 but only surgery so far. I think Tall Allen said it best, find a specialist prior to further treatment.

I will be watching your threads for answers also, but probably will start my own. Be sure to check it out. Good luck!
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply